George iiowlett davis



(No Model.)

G. H. DAVIS.

. PILLOW. 1 No. 470,819. Patented Mar. 15, 1892.

' tions also form Prion.-

GEORGE IIOWVLETT DAVIS, OF \VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

PILLOW.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0.- 470,819, dated March15, 1892.

Application filed December 24, 1890. Serial No. 375.729. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE HOWLETT DAVIS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at WVashington, in the District of Columbia, haveinvented a certain new, useful, and val uable Improvement in Pillows andCouches, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in pillows; and the leadingobjectis the provision of a pillow which will be yielding or elastic torender the same comfortable and easy to the head of the person recliningand which will have means for ventilating the pillow to cool the head.These oval-shaped head-seca part of the base and prevent the pillowfromturning over easily.

A further object of my invention is the pro.- vision of a pillow orcouch which can be folded so as to occupy a very small space, there byenabling the same to be easily stored or transported, and therebyrendering it valuable for traveling, camping, &c., as well as forgeneral or domestic use.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a ventilatingelastic pillow which will be light in weight and still possess thenecessary strength and durability, which will present an attractiveappearance, and which can be produced at a very low price.

In order that the construction and advantages of my improved pillow maybe readily understood and appreciated, I have illustrated the same inthe accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a perspectiveview of one form of frame of my improved pillow. Fig. 2 represents aperspective view of a modified form of frame. Fig. 3 represents aperspective view of my pillow having a covering of open or porousmaterial. Fig. 4 represents a perspective view of a pillow having a caseor covering of light fabric, such as cotton, linen, or the like. Fig. 5is a view of the pillow as it appears when folded or collapsed. Fig. 6is a view of a surgical rest or couch constructed in accordance with myfolding means, such rest not being claimed independently of such foldingmeans. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views of parts of the frame of mypillow. Fig. 9 is a view of a form of couch or 3 bed embodying theprinciples of my folding and locking means, such form of couch not beingclaimed independently of such folding and locking means. Figs. 10 and 11are detail views to more clearly illustrate certain features of myinvention as shown at Fig. 9.

Referring by numerals to the drawings, in which similar numerals ofreference denote corresponding parts in all the figures of the saiddrawings, the numeral 1 designates the base or support of the frame ofmy pillow, which base is composed, preferably, of two parallel sides 2and two parallel ends 3 and is substantially rectangular or oblong.

In Figs. 1, 6, and 7 the base is preferably made of a single piece ofwire bent to form the parallel sides and ends, and in Figs. 2, 3, 5, 9,and 10 the base is formed of two parts, which are adjustable withrelation to each other. In Fig.8 the base is formed of two separateparallel bars adjustably connected at either end by a strap. To the baseare connected the end pieces or head-sections 4, which are arched andpreferably of substantially oval or elliptical form to give the propershape to the pillow to render the same comfortable to the user. eachmade of a single piece of wire or metal having the free ends bent toform loops or eyes 5, which engage or are twisted around the base, andthe extreme ends of the wires of the end pieces are formed with hooks orcatches 6, which are adapted to engage or interlock with the base of theframe and retain the end pieces perpendicular with relation to the saidbase, in order that the cover may be properly sustained thereon.

ends of the wires forming the base is immaterial, it only beingnecessary that they be bent so as to slide back and forth one upon theother and be sustained at the desired point.

A cover of any suitable material may be used, and in Fig. 3 I have showna porous cover of open or screen material 7, laced to the head-sections4 by means of a cord 9, as shown, and it is obvious that by drawing thecord the cover will be stretched tighter.

I have shown in Fig. 4 a pillow-case applied to my pillow, and while itis preferable to The head-sections 4 are The manner of bending theoverlapping place this case over the porous cover 7, still it may beapplied to the frame alone, and in any case it is held in position bythe drawstrings 10, placed at either end.

The manner of operating my improved pillow, as shown at Figs. 2, 3, 4-,and 5, is substantially as follows: Supposing the case to be removed andthe frame to be set, as shown at Figs. 2 and 3, then in order to fold itup asit appears at Fig. 5 all that is necessary is to turn the pillowover and press on the rods 2 at their centers, whereupon the loops 2"are forced up over the raised part 2, and there being no furtherobstruction the four loops 2 2 2 2 are forced to slide rapidly along therods 2, thus bringing the head-sections close together and leaving thecover 7 loose. After this the lower parts of the oval-shaped head-sections are pressed inward on the ends 3, thus disengaging the catches6, thus allowing the head-sections to fold inward or toward each other.In order to set the frame or pillow, first press inward on thehead-sections, so that the catches 6 will engage the upper part of thewire 2, and then grasp the ends 3, one in each hand, and pull them apartuntil the loops 2 pass over the raised points 2, and if the cover is notthen tight enough then pull the end pieces 3 farther-apart until theloops 2 pass over and lock on the second raised points 2. It requiresbut a few moments to set or fold the pillow, and as the wires which formthehead-sectionsaare comparatively light and elastic but little pressureis needed to contract their lower parts so as to disengage the catches6.

here the head-scctions are made of heavy wire-such as is necessary inconstructing a couch or bed, as shown at Fig. 9I prefer to secure thecover to the head-sections by hooks 12 or other suitable means, whichwill allow one or both ends of the cover to be readily detached and'thehead-sections to be pressed apart and folded on the under side of theframe without the necessity of contracting the head sections so as todisengage the catches 0; but I generally employ this arrangement only incases where the head-- sections are made of heavy stiff wire, such aswould require considerable exertion and trouble to contract sufficientlyto disengage the catches; but in the ease of light head-see tions-suchas are employed in pillows-it is easier and quicker to disengage thecatches 6 than it would be to unfasten a number of hooks. However, Isometimes employ the detachable cover for the pillows as well as forcouches.

In the form of couch shown in Fig. 9 a different arrangement is shownfor seeurin g the adjustable bases at any desired point. Thisarrangement is shown in detail at Fig. 10, where two latches 13, similarto those employed in umbrella-handles, are formed by passing the ends ofthe comparatively fine shown, through the thick the ends 16, andallowing wires 14, bent as wire 15, clinching the ends 17 to workloosely through theholes made in the wire 15, so that when the loop 18is moved forward it presses down the latches 13, which latter spring upagainimmediately the loop has passed and preventsitfrom moving backuntil the latches have been pressed down. I prefer to employ twolatches, so that if the cover is not stretched tight enough when thebase is locked by the first latch it can be made to lock on the secondlatch, which would of course require the head sections to be separatedfarther, thus stretching the cover tighter.

At Fig. 7 I have shown an arrangement for raising the pillow or thecover higher, which is done by simply contracting the head-sectionsuntil the outer hooks 19 engage with the rods 2, and this furthercontraction at the lower part of the head-sections causes the upper partof same to be raised. At Fig. 8 I show that this same result maybeproduced by means of a strap 20, which serves to draw together both thelower parts of the head-sections as well as the rods 21.

At Fig. 6 I show a modification which may be employed either as asurgical rest for dressing limbs, &c., or as a couch,and in this formthe cover 11 is attached to the folding sides 22 instead of to the twoend head-sections.

By the use of an ordinary feather pillow a persons head, face, and neckbecome overheated from reclining upon going out into cooler or more airin the morning the sudden change sometimes leads to neuralgia,toothache, sore throat, and other disabilities. By the use of myimproved pillow these serious results may be avoided, as my pillow cannot only be regulated so as to prevent this overheating, but can beregulated to produce a variable degree of coolness. For instance,suppose it were desired to keep the head very cool. Then the head wouldrest on the porous cover 7 alone and the air circulating underneathwould come up through the pores or meshes of the cover and come incontact with the head or face, and during very hot nights or where apatient is suffering from fever this porous cover not only keeps thehead cool, but it allows the drops of sweat to fall through the coverwithout wetting the face, neck, or clothes; but for ordinary uses theporous cover alone is too cool, and then a cotton pillowcase 10 isplaced over it, and if this is still too cool a second or heavier caseis placed over it, and, in fact, if the case is made of very heavy stuifthe pillow will be as warm as an ordinary feather pillow.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I provide a pillow which willinsure ease and comfort to the user, as well as be beneficial to health.ItwilLalso be seen that I produce a pillow which can be manufactured ata very small cost, which is attractive in appearance, which is light anddurable, which can be readily and cheaply transported, and when not inuse can be folded up and storedaway, so as to occupy but little space.It will also be understood that the structure admits of use thereon allnight, and

. the pillow either as a pillow or a couch or a bed. and serves thepurpose in'both instances in a perfect manner.

One of the leading and most important features of my invention is theoval -shaped i head-sections shown at Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive. Theseoval-shaped head-sections not only give the best possible shape toafford ease and comfort to the person using the same, but their underparts form a part of the f base and prevent the pillow from rollingover,

which would frequently occur if the frame' rested on the parallel bars 2alone. If the base were made wider by separating the bars, then theshoulder of the person reclining would come in contact therewith. Itwill be noticed that the head-sections are adapted to 1 spring downwardas well as inward and that they give a shape to the pillow which verymuch resembles that of an ordinary pillow, and, in fact, an ordinarypillow case can be used to advantage for inclosing my improved frame.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claiml l. A pillow frameconstructed to be expanded longitudinally and to be collapsed andfolded, having two headsections of approximately oval shape, saidsections having back and forward bearin ends which respectively areadapted to connect with the base-q support inside the edges of thepillow-frame, whereby either edge of the pillow may be em E ployedopposite the shoulders of the person reclining on it without liabilityof his shoulders coming in contact with the base-support, substantiallyas described.

2. A pillow-frame constructed to be longitudinally expanded and to becollapsed and folded, having two head-sections of approximatel y ovalshape, said sections having back and forward bearing ends which arerespectively adapted to connect with the base-support inside the edgesof the pillow-frame, and 1 one or more covers stretched between saidsections, wherebyeither edge of the pillow may be employed opposite theshoulders of a person reclining on it without liability of his shoulderscoming ih contact with the basesupport, substantially as described.

3. In a pillow-frame, in combination, alongitudinal supporting-baselying inside the upper and lower edges of the pillow and two arched orapproximately oval-shaped open head-sections allowing air to circulatelongitudinally through the frame and having back and forward bearingportions, the lower extremities of said bearing portions connecting,respectively, with the said base-support inside the edges of thepillow-frame, the whole forming a pillow frame which supports itself atboth its back and forward portions and prevents the shoulders of areclining person coming in contact with the base-support whether theback or forward edge of the pillow-frame be opposite his shoulders,substantially as described.

4. In a pillow, in combination, a longitudinal supporting-base lyinginside of the upper and lower edges of the pillow'and two arched orapproximately oval-shaped open head-sections allowingrair to circulatelongitudinally w through the pillow and havingbackward and forwardbearing portions, the lower extremities of said bearing portionsconnecting, respectively, with the said base-support 1nside of the edgesof the pillow, and one or more covers stretched between said sections,the whole forming a pillow which supports itself at both its back andforward portions and prevents the shoulders of a reclining person comingin contact with the base-support whether the back or forward edge of thepillow be opposite his shoulders, substantially as described.

5. In a pillow-frame for a pillow or rest, in

combination, a longitudinal supporting-base and two open head-sectionsallowing air to circulate through them, said sections prot vided,respectively, with a means for connecting and locking them with the baseand holding them from turning downward on the same when in use .as arest, substantially as described.

6. In a pillow or rest, in combination,alongitudinal supporting-base,two open head-sections allowing air to circulate through them,

said sections provided, respectively, with a means for connecting andlocking them with the base and holding them from turnin g downward onthe same when in use 'as a rest, and one or more covers stretchedbetween the sec tions, substantially as described.

7. In a pillow-frame, a longitudinal supporting-base and twoendwise-yielding headsections provided with sliding connectingeyes andlocking-catches, whereby the ready looking or unlocking of thehead-sections, as occasion requires, can be efiectedby simply applyingpressure to the ends of the sections and withdrawing saidpressure,substantially as described.

8. In a pillow-frame comprising a longitudinally-collapsiblesupporting-base, means for holding it extended, and two endwise-yieldinghead-sections provided with connecting and locking means, whereby thepillow-frame can by endwise pressure of the head-sections be placed incondition for being unfolded or folded, the said means serving forholding the pillow-frame unfolded, substantially as described. V

9. The within-- described pillow, comprising thelongitudinally-eollapsible supportingbase provided with latching means,the end wise-compressible approximately oval-shaped head-sections, onwhich eyes and catches are provided and which form back and forwardbearing portions inside the edges of the pillow, and one or more coversstretched upon the same, the frame of said pillow being constructed tohave its head-sections pressed out of interlocking condition with thesupporting-base and to fold down horizontally upon IIO one or morecovers adapted to be stretched between said head-sections.

12. In a frame for a pillow or rest, in com-- bination, twohead-sections of a construction to be folded and to interlock with asupport ing-base and a collapsible, expansible, and locking basesupporting said head-sections.

13. In a pillow or rest, in combination, two

head-sections of a construction to be folded and to interlock with asupporting-base, a collapsible, expansible, and locking base, and one ormore covers stretched between said head-sections.

14. In a frame for a pillow or rest, in combination, a longitudinalsupporting-base and two head-sections pivotally connected to said baseand having their extreme ends formed with hooks for interlocking withsaid base.

15. In a pillow or rest, in combination, a longitudinal supporting-base,two head-sections pivotally connected to said base and having theirextreme ends formed with hooks for i11- terlocking with said base, andone or more covers adapted to be stretched between said head-sections.

1.6. In a frame for a pillow or rest, in combination, a collapsible,expansible, and locking base and two head-sections pivotally connectedto said base and having their extreme ends formed with hooks forinterlocking with said base.

17. In a pillow or rest, in combination, a collapsible, expansible, andlocking base, two

head-sections pivotally connected to said base and having their extremeends formed with hooks for interlocking with said base, and

one or more covers adapted to be stretched between said base.

18. In a frame for a pillow or rest, in combination, two head-sectionsof a construction to be folded and to interlock with a supporting-baseand a collapsible base, said bases being formed in two parts, eachhaving parallel bars, and the loops made at the ends of the bars of onepart being adapted to lock against projections made in the parallel barsof the corresponding part.

19. In a pillow or rest, in combination, two folding and interlockinghead-sections and a collapsible base, said base being formed in twoparts, each part having parallel bars, and the loops made at the endsof-the bars of one part locking against projections made in the parallelbars of the corresponding part, and one or more covers stretched betweensaid head-sections.

20. Open head-sections of a pillow-frame, formed of pieces of wire bentinto arched or approximately elliptical form and with the lower portionsof the wire extending downwardly and inwardly and terminated withconnecting ends connecting with the supporting-base of the pillow-frameinside the edges of thepillow, substantially as described.

21. A pillow-frame comprising a base-support and two bent-wire openhead-sections of arched or approximately oval form and with the lowerportions of the wire extending downwardly and inwardly and terminatedwith connecting ends connecting with the supportingbase of thepillow-frame inside the edges of the pillow, and one or-morehead-supporting stretchers or covers, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in prcsenceof two witnesses.

GEORGE I'IOWLE'IT DAVIS.

Witnesses:

E. W. DASHIELL, S. BRASI-IEARS.

